by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The development of a spaceport at Cecil Field could soon gain support from a local transportation organization.
Board members of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization began discussion Thursday on a resolution to support the space tourism and research effort.
If it meets eligibility requirements, the backing would mean the transportation projects associated with the development could receive North Florida TPO allocated dollars.
Cecil Field received a spaceport license earlier this year and is now one of eight in the United States. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority recently received a grant from the Federal Aviation Authority for just less than $105,000 toward development of its Spaceport Master Plan to be completed in December.
The board will vote on the issue further next month
In other news from the meeting:
• With an eye on the spring and the Florida legislative session, the board appointed its next three-member legislative committee. Doug Conkey, North Florida TPO chair and Clay County Commissioner; Carl Youman, the St. Augustine Airport Authority representative; and Mike Borno, the Beaches community representative, will serve.
• The board was updated about the Clean Cities Coalition, which the North Florida TPO is leading. The coalition’s mission is to reduce the use of foreign oil and improve air quality through promotion of alternative-energy transportation through fuel conversion in vehicles. The group is driving toward an official designation, which would allow it potentially to receive federal grants, and it asked board members to make recommendations on potential fleet operators and companies that might be interested.
• Usually held on the second Thursday of each month, the next North Florida TPO board meeting will be Nov. 4 because Veteran’s Day is Nov. 11.
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